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. 2022 May 26;11(6):714.
doi: 10.3390/antibiotics11060714.

Māori Experiences and Beliefs about Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance for Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms: A Qualitative Study

Kayla Hika  1 , Matire Harwood  2 , Stephen Ritchie  3   4 , Amy Hai Yan Chan  4   5
Affiliations

Māori Experiences and Beliefs about Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance for Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms: A Qualitative Study

Kayla Hika et al. Antibiotics (Basel). .

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to public health. Addressing unnecessary antibiotic use provides an opportunity to reduce antibiotic consumption and to slow AMR. Understanding people's beliefs is important for informing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Within New Zealand, health inequities exist between Māori and non-Māori; however, no research has examined Māori beliefs about antibiotics and AMR. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences related to antibiotic use of Māori in New Zealand. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 Māori adults recruited from primary care to explore the experiences, perceptions and beliefs that Māori have about antibiotics, and about AMR. Overall, 30 Māori adults (23% male; age range from 20 to 77 years) participated. Three themes emerged: systemic-, social-, and individual-related factors. From these themes, seven subthemes explained the factors that influenced antibiotic use and their perceptions of AMR in Māori: general practitioner (GP) times and ratios, effect of colonisation, lack of knowledge and information, access and poverty barriers, relationship with health professionals, illness perceptions, treatment beliefs and Whaakaro (thoughts), and beliefs pertaining to natural (rongoā) and Western medicine. Participants identified potential solutions to improve antibiotic use such as cultural support and involving Te Ao Māori; recognising these can inform future AMS initiatives.

Keywords: Māori; antibiotics; antimicrobial resistance; beliefs; prescribing; qualitative; use experiences.

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Conflict of interest statement

K.H. was supported by a University of Auckland Summer Studentship programme. A.H.Y.C. reports grants and personal fees from Janssen-Cilag, consultancy fees from Spoonful of Sugar Ltd., grants from A+ Trust (Auckland District Health Board), Maurice and Phyllis Paykel trust, Universitas 21, New Zealand Pharmacy Education Research Fund, Auckland Academic Health Alliance, Asthma UK, the University of Auckland, Health Research Council, and Oakley Mental Health Foundation, outside the submitted work. A.H.Y.C. is also the recipient of the Robert Irwin Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Senior Research Fellowship from the Auckland Medical Research Foundation. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Themes regarding antibiotic use derived from interviews with 30 participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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